Why do some people think yellow ribbons on cars are a joke?

Question

I thought a yellow ribbon meant you were thinking of the troops, or otherwise sending a positive message of support. It may not mean much, but I didn't think it was a negative thing:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtGDrNL00a7bHZ1izsSNvyvsy6IX?qid=20070809080043AAiT822

Can someone explain this to me, please? I'm serious.

I find this offensive, but it's a big world and I'll survive. but would it be offensive to others if I questioned the sentiments of people thinking this is funny? Even if I questioned their . . . patriotism?

Maybe I am on the wrong website.

Well, that should stir things up for a while!

Answer 1

i don't think its funny, i think it is very patriotic, in fact showing your support for the troops.

Answer 2

I'm sure those troops feel great when they come home missing limbs and see your yellow ribbon sticker on your vehicle. I bet nothing cheers them up more then to see a yellow ribbon sticker on someones truck after they've just been declined treatment for injuries sustained in an illegal war.

My problem is this - The people who cover their cars in these stickers do it for THEMSELVES, not the troops. They do it to make themselves feel better. These are the same people who don't speak up when there's news of corruption and denied treatment at the veteran hospitals. They are the same people who step over the homeless war veterans in the street and then criticize them for being lazy. These are the same people who have never worn a uniform nor do they have any family in the military. It's purely a selfish act. What does that sticker actually do for anyone? It's only there to make YOU feel good about yourself. If you really care about the troops then why aren't you people out in the streets protesting the treatment of our fallen and maimed soldiers. The answer: Because that would require effort and you people don't care THAT much. You get a free ride on this issue as long as you cover your car in these stickers. These people also tend to be very vocal towards anyone who opposes the war.

Answer 3

The yellow ribbon thing started in 1973 with a horrible song from Tony Orlando and Dawn. The premise was that a man was returning home from prison, and asked his girlfriend to "Tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree. It's been ten long years; do you still want me?" The song ends with "a hundred yellow ribbons 'round the old oak tree."

In the politically charged climate of the Viet Nam era this was seized on by the hawks, and yellow ribbons became patriotic, perhaps because of the earlier song about the soldier's girlfriend who wore a yellow ribbon around her hat. Eventually the gay rights activists put out a pink ribbon, and now you can wear little ribbons of almost every hue to show support for a cause.

Frankly, the political ribbon is now a cliche exploited by causists of every political stripe. As such it is tiresome more than funny. The laugh you hear is one of embarrassment.

Some of us feel that it is not necessary to make a political statement about everything, nor is it tasteful to adopt a self righteous attitude about a matter in which there is honest disagreement between us. The ribbons are a tool of those extremists on both sides who benefit from the polarization that has become so pronounced that it threatens our democracy far more than any external enemy.

True believers often feel called to prozelytize. That is one thing George Bush and Osama bin Ladn have in common, at least. They both feel entitled to force their way of life on the rest of us, no matter what we think about it. The ribbons serve as a warning that you may be about to preached at.

As to whether amusement about the chronic excesses of know it all idealists is unpatriotic, I would suggest that your independent thinking circuits need a checkup. The yellow ribbon right now is not being worn to "support the troops" but to support the Iraq War. These are two entirely different things.

Many of us who are not career Democrats are old enough to remember that the Viet Nam War was lost because you cannot fight a war of occupation when there are hostile combatants who can blend in with the general population. Not even the Nazis could manage that, and they were prepared to take and murder hostages, burn cities and exterminate entire racial groups. Most of us over fifty saw the United States fighting that kind of unconventional war with conventional weapons and tactics, and we still weep for the fine young people who were senselessly sacrificed for the political purposes of the politicians at home.

Now we have a President who was protected from that carnage who insists that we have to repeat the experience. It is his supporters who are brandishing the yellow ribbons, and insisting that skepticism is treason. I am an old dog, and remember the old tricks.

I won't be fooled again. Support the troops by using them properly, supplying them adequately and giving them work they have some chance of succeeding at while surviving. The yellow ribbons serve to remind this citizen that "patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."

Answer 4

This person is bitter and possibly trying to express that 38 yellow ribbons doesn't seem patriotic, it seems like someone trying to show the world how patriotic they are. But it could be someone who knows 38 soldiers in Iraq and is worried about them.

I try not to judge people like this too much. You never know, they might have just lost someone in Iraq or Afghanistan and be lashing out at the world. And the person with the ribbons might really be a shallow idiot who isn't patriotic enough to do something that counts and thinks sticking magnets to their car makes them look like a "real American".

Answer 5

Are we a sprint hyper this night? considerable reason for the unique 'infant on Board' warning signs have been to allow emergency human beings be conscious of there have been infants interior the motor vehicle in case of an twist of destiny or hearth. Now, confident, i think of they seem to be slightly obnoxious, yet to each and each his very own. As for the 'ribbon-formed' ones..they're showing their help for motives they believe in. Why get disillusioned? look someplace else in the event that they annoy you so badly. we are going to absorb a fund and get you a 'Do i glance as though I care?' bumper sticky label. lol relax....there are a number of worse subject concerns you will possibly desire to subject approximately.

Answer 6

It is meant to be patriotic, and I respect it, BUT... the one who benefits the most is the guy with the magnetic yellow ribbon factory, and aside from showing your support it doesn't actually do anything. If the Iraqis started putting ribbons on their cars, would it stop the suicide bombers?

Answer 7

The person that made the question you are referring to was clearly making a statement regarding the funny ways Americans choose to show their level of patriotism.

You have taken it completely out of context. Like most people do. Reading comprehension for the win.

Answer 8

The original magnetic yellow ribbons contributed money to veterans organizations. Then, when they became popular, they started showing up as made-in-china cash register junk displays.
Also, some people go overboard with magnetic decals - combining flags, ribbons, slogans, and assorted other decals - and it has made them unpopular as a matter of taste.

Answer 9

I think that many of us feel that the people who sported those ribbons otherwise seemed to know nothing about the war, it's background, its realities and its consequences.

In a real war, the public at home is asked to make sacrifices. In this war, all we had to do was put the magnets on our SUV's and that was fine.

It's a commentary on hypocrisy, I think.

The same people sporting the magnets seemed unaware of how badly executed the Iraq war has proved to be.

Answer 10

I like it but do find it interesting that it originally comes from a song about spending "3 long years" in prison.
That being said, I still think it's a good Idea.

Answer 11

A yellow ribbon made in China does nothing to help our troops. take the money you spent on that and send a care package to the troops or spend the money on gas to go to a VA hospital and visit the injured. I have no problem with people who have them, just people who think that because they have them they are in someway doing more than people who don't